The Best Leaf Blowers in 2022
Keep your yard and walkways clean and clear with these top-rated tools.
Our Top Picks for Leaf Blowers:
- Best Gas Handheld Leaf Blower: Black Max 2-Cycle Gas Axial Fan Blower
- Best Gas Backpack Leaf Blower: Husqvarna 150BT 50.2cc 434 CFM Gas Backpack Leaf Blower
- Best Corded Electric Leaf Blower: Toro PowerJet Electric Handheld Leaf Blower
- Best Battery-Powered Leaf Blower: EGO POWER+ 56 Volt Handheld Cordless Electric Leaf Blower
- Best Electric Backpack Leaf Blower: RYOBI Cordless Backpack Blower
- Best Leaf Blower on Sale: Greenworks Variable Speed Cordless Leaf Blower
It’s leaf-peeping season! That also means it’s leaf pile season. A leaf blower is the unsung hero of the cold months. It keeps your yard clear of leaves in the fall and can help keep walkways snow-free in the winter. We’ve researched the best, top-rated leaf blowers, from cordless handheld models to gas backpack leaf blowers, and rounded up our favorite models for every yard type and budget that you can order online. Some even have free, two-day shipping. Take a look at our top picks below and see which leaf blower is right for you.
How to Pick the Right Leaf Blower
Leaf blowers range in power from small yard jobs to turbo performance for pro landscapers, but one thing is unanimous with a leaf blower of any size: safety. Always wear safety goggles when using a leaf blower. And, depending on which model you choose, you may need to wear earplugs to protect your ears from exposure to prolonged loud noise. Keep people and pets away from any job you’re performing with a leaf blower.
Types of Leaf Blowers
When shopping for a leaf blower, there’s a lot to consider, but the most important decision is fuel: gas vs. electric. Gas leaf blowers typically have more power, but electric leaf blowers are more sustainable. If shopping for a gas leaf blower, look at how much gas will be needed for 30 minutes of work. Also, look at how the machine is started. Like lawnmowers, gas leaf blowers typically use a pull cord to start and these cords can become damaged or get stuck over time. An electric leaf blower is easier to start, but it’s not as powerful so a job might take longer.
Another big factor is the design. Leaf blowers come in two different styles: handheld and backpack. Backpack leaf blowers can help with larger yards and longer jobs when you need some of the weight taken off your arm and hand. However, handheld models come with more decisions. There are corded electric leaf blowers and battery-powered cordless leaf blowers. The downside to a cordless model is that it’s only good for so much time on one charge, but the downside to a corded model is the length of the cord or extension cord and if you have access to an outdoor outlet. And weight varies a lot on these, too. A cord can be a pain, as in an inconvenience, but a heavy battery can be a literal pain.
Best Gas Handheld Leaf Blower: Black Max 2-Cycle Gas Axial Fan Blower
Gas leaf blowers are in the go-big-or-go-home category of lawn equipment. These are the most powerful. If you have a large yard and you love power tools, this is the leaf blower for you. A gas leaf blower can cover more ground in less time compared to an electric leaf blower, but they’re louder, heavier and require more maintenance. There’s also the inconvenience of getting gas for each use, but if you’re used to keeping up with a gas-powered lawnmower and you need the extra power, this Black Max is your best bet. With a clearing power of 520 CFM, this machine is extremely powerful for non-professional yard work, and you won’t feel the vibrations as much thanks to its comfortable handle. As for startup, gas leaf blowers can sometimes be a pain to turn on. This model is praised for its easy start-up system, and several reviewers said it always starts on the first pull.
Best Gas Backpack Leaf Blower: Husqvarna 150BT 50-2cc 434 CFM Gas Backpack Leaf Blower
For pro-level power, you need a gas-powered backpack leaf blower. Yes, you will look like a Ghostbuster, but the large units give you even faster airspeeds and the backpack relieves pressure on your arms and hands. It also allows you better control and precision. If you’re working on a large yard or have tons of trees that produce leaves in the fall, a backpack-style gas leaf blower might be worth the investment as it can cut your work time in half. At just under $330, the Husqvarna 150BT Leaf Blower is a lot. It’s one of the most expensive leaf blowers in our roundup, but it’s highly rated for a reason: It has a top airspeed of nearly 251 miles per hour!
Best Corded Electric Leaf Blower: Toro PowerJet Electric Handheld Leaf Blower
From the biggest and baddest gas leaf blowers, we go to the opposite end of the spectrum: corded electric leaf blowers. These are much lighter than gas, and they’re a lot quieter. So, if you live in a neighborhood or townhome community, it won’t be considered a nuisance. Corded handheld leaf blowers are more suited to small jobs such as clearing a porch or patio. If you’re new to leaf blowers and you’re just looking for a budget-friendly model that can tackle leaves on the porch, the Toro Power Jet is your buy. At less than $80, this is the cheapest leaf blower on our list, but don’t let the price tag fool you. This mini machine has more than 1,000 5-star reviews on The Home Depot.
Best Battery-Powered Leaf Blower: EGO POWER PLUS 56-Volt Handheld Cordless Electric Leaf Blower
The biggest inconvenience with a handheld electric leaf blower is the cordage. You have to worry about outlets and extension cords and then lugging said extension cords to the outlets. If you’re willing to spend a little bit more for a mid-range leaf blower, you can get a cordless handheld leaf blower. These battery-powered electric leaf blowers are by far the lightest, quietest and easy to store. Like corded electric leaf blowers, these units aren’t as powerful as gas, so they’re best for small yards and driveways. But here’s where shopping gets tricky: Not every battery-powered leaf blower comes with a charger. So, double-check to see if a charger is included in the total price because it can be a pain to find a charger for some models. This EGO tool comes with a battery and charger and is definitely a fan favorite with nearly 10,000 5-star reviews! It's praised for its long battery life — up to 75 minutes on one charge!
Best Electric Backpack Leaf Blower: RYOBI 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Backpack Blower
If you’re looking for an electric leaf blower to keep the noise down or stay more sustainable, but you don’t like handheld models and you need help carrying the weight, there are some electric backpack options. These are more expensive, though not as expensive as a gas backpack leaf blower. The RYOBI 40-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Backpack Blower is about $250, but it’s like the Cadillac of the electric leaf blower world. It’s cordless, and the charger is included. It’s quiet, and it features a top airspeed of 145 miles per hour, which is incredibly powerful for a non-gas leaf blower.
Best Leaf Blower on Sale: Greenworks Variable Speed Cordless Leaf Blower
It's rare to see major price drops on lawn equipment going into the fall season, but we did spot a 14 percent discount on this Greenworks Variable Speed Cordless Leaf Blower. It does come with a charger, and it’s still less than $115 with free shipping for Amazon Prime members!
